Mencap Matters April 2024

It’s a bold message created by people with a learning disability to build a movement of positive change. We know you’ll agree that people with a learning disability should always be respected by others, and their views and feelings listened to.

This year, we want to celebrate the achievements of people with a learning disability. And we’re challenging the barriers they face on a daily basis. With your support, Mencap won’t rest until everyday injustices are a thing of the past.

Learning Disability Week 2024 runs from Monday 17 – Sunday 23 June.

Find out more

As his beloved banana plant has flourished, Mel has grown in confidence with the support of his local Mencap group.

Mel’s been attending Mencap’s Islington group for six years, regularly impressing everyone around him. The talented 33-year old has taken every opportunity the sessions have offered to express himself – from making art to gardening. 

Mel’s green fingers are the reason why you’ll now find an exotic banana plant thriving in Holloway, North London!

More plants are on the way, as Mel’s ‘banana pups’ grow from seedlings up. “At home I’d managed to grow two massive sunflowers,” explains Mel, “and a mango plant last summer because the weather was so hot. I just thought try something else. Some other kind of tropical plant.”

Undaunted by the weather “I wanted to take on the challenge,." adds Mel. "I spent time online looking up different plants. I saw bananas and thought I’d give that a go! Obviously, it’s a lot colder here and we don’t have a tropical climate.”

'My Community' is an ambitious Mencap project. We’re partnering with local heroes who want to make their community the best place for people with a learning disability to live.

Our starting point is that all communities have strengths, all citizens have power, and we want to build on this together. 

Nothing significant is achieved alone.

We hire ‘Community Connectors’, people with a learning disability who use their experiences to tell us what
matters to them and what would help make their communities better places for them to live in.

We also recruit local people to become ‘Community Partners’, helping communities come together to take action on inclusivity.

My Fun:D is made by people with a learning disability for people with a learning disability. Launched in 2022, it gives funding direct to individuals, supporting all sorts of requests to make life happier and healthier across the UK.